HOUSTON, Texas - Hajime Moriyasu's Japan have taken steady steps since their memorable campaign four years ago in Qatar, but the agonizing defeat to Brazil at the World Cup on Monday hints where they currently are in the world standings.
After taking a first-half lead at Houston Stadium that had everyone back home dreaming, Japan knew what to expect after the break from the world's biggest footballing nation, with their ultimate collapse coming just minutes before the end of regular time.
"I felt life is not so easy. We were facing a different intensity, quality and reality from the group stage," said Hiroki Ito, the only outfield player to play the entire four games.
"We let them pass the ball around the box for 90 minutes and had it not been for many saves from Zion (Suzuki), we could have conceded four or five. We need that sort of attacking spell around the box ourselves and that's the difference."
Moriyasu's side took pride in their unshakable team solidarity and character and overcame captain Wataru Endo's shock departure three days before their opener, but while their early lead seemed to put them on the verge of history with their first knockout-stage success, it did not materialize.
"A win today would have made a real difference. Beating Brazil at the World Cup is big news around the globe and we wanted to achieve that," Junya Ito said. "It really feels we're just that one step away each time."
"We had lost Kaoru (Mitoma), Take (Takefusa Kubo) got injured too and I can't deny losing players with such quality hurt us. But that's no excuse."
Having no regular starters among the top European clubs currently, Moriyasu's Japan had to punch above their weight to have any chance of realizing their goal of winning the World Cup.
It was an ambitious target set by the manager, but since taking over in 2018, he has got the better of his counterparts Hansi Flick, Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti in previous wins against Germany, Spain, England and Brazil.
"When we calculate the path to winning the World Cup using Japanese players' strength, I think Mr. Moriyasu's ethos of us being one team with everyone willing to run, defend and attack is the only possibility at present," Ritsu Doan said.
"We were on board with his philosophy and identity, believing that's the quickest way. We have mutual understanding there and it really frustrates me that we couldn't make him the winning manager."
With Takumi Minamino also sidelined, reliable attacking options off the bench were limited throughout the tournament for Moriyasu as the need for strong individuals and a rich talent pool, both enjoyed by traditional powerhouse nations, was laid bare.
"The national team's level will naturally go up with the younger generation joining us in making their way up in Europe," Ayase Ueda said. "For that to happen, those who are already there need to raise Japanese players' profiles and prove we can cut it on the world stage."
"We're getting to play in Europe thanks to the players in the generation above us having opened the door for us by testing themselves and leaving their marks there. We need to elevate that (evaluation of Japanese players) by a notch or two."
Moriyasu's drastic second-half changes saw Japan topple both Germany and Spain with little possession at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But the calm-looking yet passionate tactician did not resort to such moves this time.
"Had we overcome today's challenge, it could have made a big change to our history," Moriyasu said. "We will abstract pros and cons from the past and get stronger believing the door will open one day."
